Jimenez sailing along to opening day

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Memo to fantasy leaguers near and far eyeing Ubaldo Jimenez in the early rounds: Just say yes.

If Jimenez, after arriving as the Rockies’ ace in 2009, isn’t ready to go to a new level this season, then all those scouts behind home plate Tuesday should have been out selling insurance for a living.

Jimenez pitched three scoreless innings vs. the Dodgers, allowing one hit and striking out two. Afterward, when a scout mentioned that Jimenez’s fastball had been clocked at 96 mph, another scout shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s spring training for everybody.”

Right. Jimenez was only bringing it at 96, with his slider clocking in at 83. By opening day, when he is a mortal lock to start vs. Milwaukee, count on 97-98, maybe an occasional 100, with a slider in the 84-86 range.

In other words, filthy, not to mention nasty. Those are the two words you hear more than any others to describe Jimenez. The bottom line on the Rockies’ ace? Be surprised if he doesn’t surpass last year’s 15 wins.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.